funding sources

Funding Sources for Green Buildings Background: There are only two programs known that provide funding specifically for „green building‟. These include the Kresge foundation‟s Green Building challenge for non-profit efforts and the Green Communities Funding. The Green Communities began as a five-year, $550 million fund to build more than 8,500 homes across the country that provide significant health, economic and environmental benefits to low-income families and communities. Typically „green building‟ is too broad an issue to have funding targeted to this effort. To locate funding, it is best to consider each of the design benefits and features. Green buildings have the potential for multiple benefits on the building, the occupants and the environment. Potential benefits include:  Community (Re)Development The site selection and design may impact former brownfields, incorporate green spaces, trails, or other aspects that connect to the community design or redevelopment.  Education Any of the features of a green building may be used for education or demonstration to the public.  Energy Efficiency - Urban Heat Green and reflective roofs, plantings in the parking lot and other tips cool the surrounding urban area as well as the building. This translates into energy efficiency and building comfort.  Recreation – Transportation - Health Encouraging biking, or installing green trails and roofs and using less toxics can provide a reduction in transportation emissions, a healthier staff or public, pleasant views and relaxed atmosphere.  Stormwater reduction Green roofs, permeable pavers, bioswales, rain gardens, using rain water for toilets, cisterns for irrigation, all reduce stormwater. Stormwater reduction means a reduction in the: o quantity in the municipal stormwater sewers and infrastructure; and o quantity fluctuations in rivers and streams (scouring impacts on fisheries, area flooding and recreation impacts). o These are just some of the benefits and impacts that green buildings have. With the specifics of your project in mind, consider whether the following grants and loans are applicable. www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-ess-p2-green-funding.doc FFunding SourcesF  Brownfield Redevelopment Tax Credits Effective April 8, 2008, Act 89, PA 2008 amended the Brownfield Redevelopment tax credits. Among other changes, the revisions included an increase in the credits available and added “sustainable development” as one of several criteria.  DEQ Financial Assistance, Grants, and Loans This web site contains a link for the catalogue of information on the grants and loans administered by the Department of Environmental Quality. This can be searched for the type of grant or loan. For example:  Brownfield grants  Small Business P2 Loans The Small Business Pollution Prevention (P2) Loan Program provides loans of up to $400,000 at an interest rate of 5% or less to businesses with fewer than 500 employees. This loan program may be used for some aspects of green building but the project must be able to measure an environmental improvement or pollution prevention achieved.  Stormwater related - Non-point source grants – for municipalities and non-profits for projects such as that listed under stormwater reduction above.  Other DEQ grants may be applicable – check the complete resource linked above.  DNR - Department of Natural Resources Grants Fisheries funding may be applicable if there is a significant reduction in the stormwater impact on the rivers and streams. Recreation funding may be applicable if the project connects with or involves a community trail or system. Check the DNR grants if these topics are applicable.  Energy Funding Sources  Energy Office funding announcements Funding FAQ The Michigan Energy Office has some funding suggestions for energy efficiency projects. The Community Energy Project Grants provide funding to non-profit and public organizations for: 1) Solar and/or wind energy education, 2) Bioenergy/biofuels/bioproducts education, 3) Green commuting projects, 4) Green building projects... In 2006, funding per was a maximum of $6,000. This is closed for 2007. Look for these annually in July-August. The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Outreach Grants provide funding to non-profit or public organizations for outreach projects to promote and market 1) Solar Energy, 2) Wind Energy, … and 4) ENERGY STAR Homes. In 2006, funding per project was a maximum of $50,000. This is closed for 2007. Look for these annually in July-August.  Energy Tax Incentives.org This web site provides some basic information on the energy code and the tax incentives. www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-ess-p2-green-funding.doc Pg 2  Financing Energy Efficiency -Rebuild America (community wide info) This is a 86 page Department of Energy document that discusses different financing options, including performance contracts.  EPA Green Building Re$ources This is a 30 page list of potential funding sources compiled by EPA in October, 2000. Only the relevant Michigan resources are listed. Although dated, it may provide ideas of where to locate funding.  Fisheries See DNR above  Historic Buildings Historic buildings are tangible links with the past. They help give a community a sense of identity, stability and orientation. The federal and state governments encourage the preservation of historic buildings through various programs including federal and state income tax incentives and grant programs to support the rehabilitation of historic and older buildings. The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Michigan Historical Center, Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries administers these financial incentive programs. Information on these programs can be found on the SHPO website at www.michigan.gov/hpcredit  Stormwater Funding MDEQ presently manages 3 stormwater funding programs under non-point source. All three are announced on about an annual basis. The funding round for 2007 should be announced in October or November on the website  Trails and other Green Infrastructure (Health)  Active & Healthy Living Green building may support an increase in access to healthy choices, healthy eating and physical activity. Will the project --Help employees stay active (provide a walking trail)? Provide an herbal garden? Expand a community recreation trail? Improve walking trails to community grocers or farm markets? To determine if funding is available in your area, contact your local county health department. DNR Natural Resources Trust Fund The objective is for the acquisition and development of lands and facilities for outdoor recreation or the protection of Michigan's significant natural resources. The DNR also has a grant for trees planted in public areas. Arbor Day Mini-grants  www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-ess-p2-green-funding.doc Pg 3  Energy Office, Department of Labor and Economic Growth The Energy Office has Community Energy Project Grants up to $6,000 for public or nonprofit organizations that includes a Green Commuting category. This has funded a community biking program. Grant solicitation is in the summer for projects developed during the following year. Greenways Initiative Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan – This region specific funding helps “connect the communities of southeastern Michigan through the creation of a connected green infrastructure, including biking and hiking paths…” National Center for Biking - Ped & Bike Info Center The National Center for Biking and the Ped and Bike info center has additional resources such as a great image library for pedestrian designs. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Robert Wood Johnson Foundation provides funding on health related issues. Their website “Active Living By Design” www.activelivingbydesign.org and community walkability may be of interest. Michigan‟s resources (no grants) on the issue are at: www.mihealthtools.org Safe Routes to School (SR2S) Program This is a movement to make it safe, convenient and fun for children to bicycle and walk to school. Safe Routes to School initiatives also help ease traffic jams and air pollution, unite neighborhoods and contribute to students‟ health and readiness to learn in school. Contact the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness at (517) 347-7891. Transportation Enhancement Activities (TEA) Department of Transportation “Provision of facilities for pedestrians and bicycles, pedestrian and bicycle safety education activities,” and the “conversion of abandoned railway corridors to trails,” are eligible funding activities. Anyone can sponsor a project, but they must apply through an eligible applicant. Eligible applicants include city and village road agencies, all county road commissions, public transit agencies, the Michigan Department of Transportation, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for qualifying rail/trail projects. Applications are accepted year-round. The average match has been more than 30%. Contact: Amber Thelen (517) 241-1456, ThelenA@michigan.gov       Other This is the Safe Routes to School web site but if you scroll down, it lists other trail funding sources. Updated 07/15/08 www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-ess-p2-green-funding.doc Pg 4